NCL vs HAL for families with small kids

[smariner]

Does anyone have experiences to share on NCL vs HAL - especially for families with small kids (traveling to Alaska)? Which cruise line has more kid activities?

[Lulubelle45]

Ive done both, though not to Alaska. That being said, i believe NCL had the better kid programs as they also had the Nickelodeon characters at the time (5 yrs ago on Pearl) and a great area in the buffet for families including pint size tables and chairs. HAL had a nice kids area but for the older kids, more of a hangout. I didnt see the kid zones as we were adults only on that one (Zaandam 4 yrs ago) seems the kids were everywhere doing fun activities on NCL, bowling rock climbing etc

Edited July 29, 2016 by Lulubelle45

[garnet115]

We did HAL to Alaska when my dad was 7. She loves NCL now, but HAL was great for that trip - the kids club was small and there was a lot of individualized attention. It doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles of the NCL mega ships, and didn't have the variety of adult dining and entertainment, but my dad had a wonderful time. Not sure I would do HAL with her now at age 12, but at a younger age and for Alaska it was a good experience.